Many consumers are already aware in June 2009 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) required all broadcasters to stop broadcasting analog signals. If you subscribed to cable or satellite programming the change to digital transmission didn't require any changes in your hardware or televisions. Recently cable companies started the process of going all digital. Once your cable company makes the switch you will no longer be able to connect the cable coming into your home or business directly into the RF input on your television. For most residential subscribers this change will have little impact on their service. The local cable company will provide residential customers a digital to analog cable box for each television in the household. The same digital to analog cable box is available to business customers for a per outlet fee. The converter box solves the issue for many applications however specialty applications such as personal viewing screens used by health clubs can not be adapted to work with these boxes.
Why is this happening?
One simple word - Bandwidth. Consumers crave faster internet, more on-demand choices, and more HD channels. For every analog channel a cable company sends over the cable they can send 3 digital HD channels. You can read Comcast's view on analog on their blog and Frequently Asked Questions.
Will cable companies offer any analog channels?
Cable companies are required to offer local broadcast channels in analog until 2012.
My TV has a digital tuner do I still need a converter?
The digital tuner in your television or personal viewing screen is not a substitute for a digital cable box. The tuner in a digital television is designed to receive off air broadcast television.
My gym has personal viewing screens on cardio equipment. What can I do?
There is no simple way to adapt a digital to analog cable box to personal viewing screens. To resolve this issue on personal viewing screens you must utilize an analog headend system (also commonly referred to as a modulator rack). Select cable companies will rent headend systems for a monthly fee although it is more cost effective to purchase a headend system.
How much does a headend system cost?
The cost of headend systems vary depending on the number of channels you wish to distribute to your personal viewing screens. For example to provide gym members with the choice of 12 television channels Directv headend systems start at $2900.00. Cable companies typically charge $4.99 - $8.99 per outlet (television) per month in commercial locations. A gym with 30 cardio and LCD screens would pay for a headend system in 12 months.
How do headend systems work?
It works just like analog cable. Headend systems convert the digital output of multiple cable or satellite boxes to analog television channels that any television, plasma, or LCD can watch. The channels are then combined and sent over the existing coax.
Are headend systems new technology?
Headend systems have been around for decades. It is the same technology that hotels use to send cable, satellite, and pay per view movies to rooms in the hotel.
Is the headend system HD?
At this time the cost to create HD channels makes HD headend systems price prohibitive. A 12 channel HD headend system would start at $35,000.
What is the picture quality like?
When Directv is used as the source in a headend system you can expect a better quality picture compared to analog cable. There is no quality loss when the signal is properly distributed to multiple LCD, plasma, or personal viewing screens.
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For answers to additional questions you may have or a headend system quote contact:
Hi-TECH SOUND
888-843-8369 |
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